The Colorado Avalanche took a liking to the work that Wheeling Nailers coach Derek Army has done and Monday rewarded him with an AHL assistant role with the Colorado Eagles. Army will work under a name that is familiar to Penguins fans, new head coach Mark Letestu.
“Derek enjoyed a very successful stint as a head coach in the ECHL, and we’re excited to add him to our Eagles staff,” said Avalanche Assistant General Manager Kevin McDonald. “Derek is a coach’s son who has grown up around the game of hockey and has worked hard to move up in the coaching ranks. We look forward to having him on board with Mark and the rest of the coaching staff to help guide our AHL franchise.”
Army, 34, was the Wheeling Nailers’ head coach and recently became the winningest coach in franchise history. After being tabbed a midseason replacement in 2020-21, the Pittsburgh Penguins organization made the job permanent for the 2021-22 season. Over the last four seasons, including his stint as the interim coach, Army compiled a 153-137-19 record.
Army’s father, Tim, is currently an assistant with the Anaheim Ducks and spent six seasons on the Avalanche coaching staff as both a video coach and assistant from 2011-17.
As a player, Army played in the ECHL and AHL, ultimately playing 97 games in the AHL with 26 points. He played 159 games with Wheeling, scoring 130 points (59-71-130) from 2013-18.